Help deciding on ship

[mcqueenbee]

34 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Not sure why OP gave this Miami cruise as an option if it was completely out of the question

Never said it was out of the question, not sure why you read it as such if I included it my options.🤔

[Ashland]

11 minutes ago, mcqueenbee said:

Never said it was out of the question, not sure why you read it as such if I included it my options.🤔

Hmmm...A couple of your later posts seemed to say otherwise like post #19 that the drive was a "deal breaker"..... a bit confusing.

 

But you've been given several opinions...the choice is of course up to you.

 

Enjoy whatever works out best.

Edited March 31, 2021 by Ashland

[reallyitsmema]

Odyssey would be my choice.  New ship, longer cruise, good itinerary.  Not sure comment about the dining options means.  What are you looking for that Odyssey doesn't have? 

[Sunshine3601]

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Oasis has been amped but allure has not

 

You can pre purchase the unlimited dining plan for 79 or 99 pp depending on class. The oasis class is usually 99 pp. If you go most days it wouldnt be 50 each meal. 

 

Lots of good free options though on oasis class.

The 3-night dining package is usually $99 pp / some ships $79/pp.    The unlimited dining package can be around $179 to $199, depends on the ship.

[firefly333]

7 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

The 3-night dining package is usually $99 pp / some ships $79/pp.    The unlimited dining package can be around $179 to $199, depends on the ship.

If you scroll up you will see I corrected it after the other 2 posted corrections. You are the 3rd. We agree. 

[scorpluvsdolphins]

2 hours ago, mcqueenbee said:

See for us, Floridians, this can be totally a make or break. Same as driving into Disney traffic on I-4 traffic---deal breakers!

Yep. 
I will only cruise out of Miami if it is a free balcony from the casino and at least 7 nights. 
I had many offers for a free JS on 3 and 4 night cruises out of Miami. I could have done B2B.
Nope!

Ft. Lauderdale, no problem. Good prices on off site parking. 
Living 17 miles south of PC I cruise mostly from there. 

[LeeW]

While we prefer Ft Lauderdale, you are not in the port long enough to make a difference.

 

All three ships are great.   We actually prefer Oasis class to Quantum but that is personal choice.  You don't need the inside activities in the Caribbean.

 

In general, longer cruise is better.  And the ABC islands are our favorites of all the Caribbean ports.  Our second preference would probably be the eastern ports, mostly because we have been to western more than eastern.

[Tapi]

As a former south Florida resident (used to live in Ft. Lauderdale), I get it. I avoided driving into Dade County (Miami) any way possible. I absolutely hated it with a passion.The only time I gladly drove into Miami with a smile on my face would be to get on a cruise ship! 

[Merion_Mom]

I loathe the New Jersey Turnpike.  (The only worse highway is the Garden State Parkway.)  But I gladly drive the NJT to get to Cape Liberty.

 

I love Floridians, with their excess of 'cruise riches' being soooooo excruciatingly picky.

[Tapi]

45 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

I love Floridians, with their excess of 'cruise riches' being soooooo excruciatingly picky.

I know right, 😂 LOL. I didn’t realize how convenient cruising was while I lived in FL until I moved. Now I consider myself “lucky” to have my closest port of embarkation 4 hours away in Alabama. At least there’s zero traffic from the moment I leave my house until I pull into downtown Mobile. Soooo lucky. 😂

[AF-1]

My choice for you would be Allure.  It is a great ship;  has lots to do onboard for adults and kids; and western Caribbean with Labadee would be great.  Whatever one you choose;  have fun.  Cheers

[Sunshine3601]

8 hours ago, mcqueenbee said:

Hi everyone!

We are currently trying to decide between three ships for our vacation that are in our budget. We are traveling with our 12 year old son. We have only done Freedom and Liberty years ago.

 

Ship #1 is a 6 day Allure of the Seas Western Caribbean.

Pros

• Ports, we have never done 
• Price, super good deal
• Leaves from Fort Lauderdale
• Always wanted to do Oasis class
• More family friendly dining options

Cons

• 6 day cruise
• Not sure how updated the ship is, 11 years old

 

 

Ship #2 is an 8 day Odyssey of the Sea Southern Caribbean

Pros

• Brand new
• Price is a good deal
• uhm, 8 day cruise
• Ports of call we have never been
• leaves from Fort Lauderdale
• cabin available is actually larger than others

Cons

• Does not many dining options or family friendly options
• The ship appears geared to adults, pool area appears too plain (thinking like a 12 y/o boy)

 

 

Finally, the last is a 7 day Oasis of the Sea Eastern Caribbean (I want to know if it has been renovated)

Pros

• Good deal
• Ship has been renovated adding slides (I think, correct me if I am wrong)
• Always wanted to do Oasis class
• More family friendly dining options
• Goes to our favorite ports
• 7 day cruise

Cons

• Leaves from Miami, ugh
• Goes to ports we have been

 

I appreciate any help. We travel often and try to keep it different destinations. We are also foodies and like a wide variety of dining options but not $50/pp for every options.

 

 

Lisa

I pick Odyssey OTS:

1.   Brand new ship

2,   here are ship facts - plenty of dining choices and lots of stuff for a 12 yr old to do, family fun and adult time only fun

https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/fact-sheet/33/odyssey-of-the-seas/

3.  Southern Caribbean is our favorite.    Beautiful waters, usually a bit warmer and clearer too.    

 

Whatever you decide I am sure you will Enjoy!   Have fun planning 🙂 

 

[CanadaRob]

Vote for Odyssey, longer cruise, still good dining options lots of stuff for kids including bumper cars and the 270 is a great chill place,.